ALBANY – A bill that will give veterans preference for temporary state jobs that the state normally fills with employees from for-profit temporary services company has been signed into law by the governor.

The bill was sponsored by Senator Gregory Ball (R, Patterson), chairman of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.

“We jump through hoops to prepare young men and women to enter into the military, but once they finish their service there is often very little transition back into civilian life,” Ball said. “Many of our servicemen and woman find this transition very difficult and often times can’t find meaningful employment upon their return. This new law will help lead our unemployed veterans into the workforce.”

Some 900,000 veterans live in New York, with 90,000 who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ball noted that when they return home, many face unemployment. “This legislation will help alleviate some of the unemployment problems facing our military veterans and may help to usher in the next generation of the state’s workforce.”

The bill was sponsored in the Assembly by Michael Benedetto (D, Bronx).